Red-billed Hornbill L: 35–45 cm (14–18") This small, black-and-white hornbill is readily identified by its relatively small red bill, males having a black base to the lower mandible . The similar Southern Yellowbilled Hornbill is larger, with a robust yellow bill, and the rarer Crowned Hornbill (not illustrated) has a uniform brown back and orange bill . The Red-billed Hornbill is a very common resident in open woodland throughout Kruger . Its territorial display, with head bowed and wings spread, starts with a series of “kok-kok-kok” calls, followed by two-syllable “kokok-kokok” notes . This is one of the most terrestrial hornbills, with prey usually taken on the ground; this may explain the birds’ preference for open areas that have been heavily trampled by ungulates and elephants . Hornbills are medium to large birds with large, slightly downcurved bills. They have a bizarre breeding system: the female is sealed into a cavity by her mate, lays 3–5 eggs and undergoes a full moult, rendering her flightless and helpless. During this time the male provisions the entire family through a narrow slit opening: the female breaks out postmoult , when she and the young are ready to fly. Hornbills: 1 male female 104 SouthernYellow-billed Hornbill L: 48–60 cm (19–24") A medium-sized, mostly black-and-white hornbill with white-spotted shoulders, pinkish-red facial skin and a diagnostic yellow bill that gives it the local Kruger nickname of ‘flying banana’ . It is a very common resident in Kruger, and one of the most conspicuous picnic site and camp birds, where it waits for hand outs and searches for scraps . The most frequent territorial display is a continuous rollicking set of “ko-ko, ko-ko” notes, working up to a crescendo “ko-kukuk, ko-kukuk, ko-kukuk” with wings open and head bowed . BIRDS OF BROADLEAVED WOODLAND AND CAMPS 105 African Grey Hornbill L: 43–48 cm (17–19") A medium-sized, ashy-coloured hornbill with pale-edged back feathers, a creamy belly and a long, pale eyebrow . The curved, tapered bill differs between the sexes: males have a mostly dark bill with a pale wedge at the base and a larger casque; the female's bill is mostly ivory above with a purple-reddish tip . This hornbill has a buoyant and undulating flight, when it can be readily identified by its pale rump and tail tips . It is a common resident in woodland throughout Kruger . To proclaim their territory, birds give a long series of plaintive, piping “piu-piu-piu” notes that conclude with some rolling whistles, with the bill raised skywards and the wings flicked with each note . The Zulus believe that the hornbill is an eternal optimist, always looking up to the heavens and hoping for a better future even in the fiercest drought. They therefore call it umkolwana – the‘believer’. Hornbills: 2 and Southern Ground-Hornbill southern ground-hornbill african grey hornbill male female 106 Southern Ground-Hornbill L: 90–130 cm (35–51") This enormous, gregarious, terrestrial hornbill is easily recognised . It is black, with white wingtips that are obvious only in flight . The male has a brilliant red face and throat wattles; the female is similar but has purple-blue skin in the centre of the throat patch; immatures are scruffy, with yellowish facial skin . The number of birds in Kruger is estimated to be 600–700 individuals, and more than 40 nests have been located; this represents about 35% of the population in the whole of South Africa . Groups have territory sizes of up to 100 km2 . In the early morning, dominant pairs indulge in some deep bass duet booming, which can be heard several kilometres away . Despite its relative scarcity, this bird is very conspicuous and small groups are frequently seen walking slowly through bushy savannah searching for invertebrate prey . They can be incredibly tame, sometimes causing traffic jams because of their unwillingness to yield to cars! These birds indulge in some strange breeding behaviour . Within a group, only the dominant pair breeds, and they are very choosy about their nest site, selecting a perfect-sized cavity in a large fig or other suitable tree . This pair is assisted by between 1–9 helpers, usually male birds from previous broods . Sealed into the nest cavity, the female incubates the eggs, relying on the male and helpers to supply her with food . The first hatched chick dominates its younger siblings, which normally starve, leaving just one survivor . This...

If you would like to authenticate using a different subscribed institution that supports Shibboleth authentication or have your own login and password to Project MUSE, click 'Authenticate'.

Welcome to Project MUSE

Use the simple Search box at the top of the page or the Advanced Search linked from the top of the page to find book and journal content. Refine results with the filtering options on the left side of the Advanced Search page or on your search results page. Click the Browse box to see a selection of books and journals by: Research Area, Titles A-Z, Publisher, Books only, or Journals only.